Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has officially communicated the proposed dates for the 2026 national and international examinations administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
In a formal letter dated April 2, 2026, addressed to the Head of the WAEC National Office in Freetown, the ministry outlined the schedule for the National Primary School Examination (NPSE), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The letter was signed by Chief Education Officer Edward K. Pakra (also referred to as Edward M. Kpakra or Edward Kpakra in official contexts).
Key Proposed Dates for 2026:
– NPSE: Saturday, May 9, 2026 (a single-day examination for primary school leavers nationwide).
– BECE: Thursday, June 25, 2026, to Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (approximately two weeks for junior secondary students).
– WASSCE: Wednesday, April 21, 2026, to Friday, June 19, 2026 (spanning nearly two months for senior secondary school candidates).
These dates reflect minor adjustments compared to the 2025 calendar. The WASSCE is set to begin slightly earlier, while the NPSE and BECE have been shifted by about a week, aimed at enhancing coordination, logistics, and overall administration of examinations across the country.
The communication underscores the ongoing partnership between MBSSE and WAEC to ensure smooth, transparent, and effective conduct of the exams. Stakeholders, including school administrators, teachers, parents, and students, are urged to note the schedule and commence preparations promptly, including revision, mock examinations, and logistical arrangements.
Broader Context
The 2025/2026 academic year in Sierra Leone features a structured calendar with three terms, providing approximately 41 weeks of instruction. Term 3 runs from mid-April to mid-July 2026, aligning with the examination period.
For the 2026 WASSCE, schools must adhere to Continuous Assessment (CASS) timelines, and the examination will assess subjects under both the old and new senior secondary curricula during a transitional period (2026–2027), with English Language and Mathematics remaining compulsory. WAEC has also emphasized strict observance of registration and assessment deadlines to maintain the integrity of the process.
This announcement comes amid the ministry’s continued efforts to strengthen the education sector, including infrastructure improvements, curriculum reforms, and collaboration with partners like the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union and WAEC.
Parents, guardians, and educators are encouraged to monitor official MBSSE and WAEC channels for any final confirmations or detailed subject-specific timetables, as these proposed dates focus on the overall examination windows. Adequate preparation will be key to supporting students, particularly in a post-pandemic environment where consistent learning recovery remains a priority.
